Asking Too Much

Special thanks to Julie, who gave me the idea for this story.

Chapter One

"Steve, great to see you, Pal!" Oscar moved around the desk to shake his hand and pat him heartily on the back. "How's married life?"

"Fantastic. And the month you gave us really worked wonders - thank you."

"You're welcome, and I'm glad. How is Jaime?" Oscar asked as they both sat down.

Steve smiled broadly. "She is absolutely amazing. Rudy says she's back to 100 percent."

"I know; I talked to him this morning. Her physical recovery is nothing short of miraculous. A bullet wound, skull injury -"

"Bailey tortured her," Steve added, no longer smiling, "and not just physically."

"Exactly. Steve...how is she, really?"

"You know, it might be simpler to ask Jaime how she's doing."

"I plan on it, but if she is having problems, I don't want to cause any further pain."

"She's fine," Steve asserted.

"No nightmares or flashbacks?"

"No...Oscar, what are you getting at?"

"Do you think she's going to be able to work again, or -?"

"Definitely."

"No signs of skittish-ness?"

"Not that I've seen."

"Because you know, in this business - the people we deal with and the lives we lead - hesitation can easily be fatal."

"Sounds like you've already got an assignment in mind for her."

"For both of you," Oscar revealed. "It's big, and it's serious. To be honest, though -"

"You're not sure if she can handle it."

"Can she handle life or death decisions?"

"I think so."

"That's not good enough."

"Oscar, what do you want from me?"

"Talk to Jaime tonight. Feel her out, emotionally. Then be honest - completely honest - in telling me what you find."

"I wouldn't lie to you."

"Not even when it comes to Jaime?"

"Especially when it comes to Jaime," Steve sighed. "You know there's nothing I'd like better than to see her retire - and be out of harm's way - permanently. That wouldn't be fair to her, though, or to you."

"Can you be objective, in that case?"

"Absolutely."

"Ok, Pal. Talk with her tonight, and come back here first thing in the morning. We'll decide then."

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Jaime bounced to the door, happily throwing her arms around Steve as soon as he came in. Steve pulled her closer for a long, soft kiss.

"Wow - for a greeting like that, how 'bout if I go out and come in again, for seconds?" he said, beaming at her.

Jaime kissed him again. "I thought I was gonna be on my own for awhile. Oscar didn't put you to work, after all?"

"Maybe in a day or two. Just wanted me to...check in, I guess," Steve hedged as they moved into the den.

Jaime nodded knowingly. "He wanted to ask you about me," she stated, sinking down next to him on the sofa with her legs curled beneath her. "Didn't he?"

"Why would you think -"

Jaime looked right into his eyes, smiling but serious. "Steve..."

"Yes."

"He doesn't think I can cut it anymore."

Steve gently wrapped an arm around his wife, tenderly caressing her cheek with his other hand. "No, Sweetheart, that's not it. He's concerned about your safety."

"Steve, he's gonna punish me for being victimized."

"Jaime -"

"That's not right, and it isn't fair! I'm damn good -"

"Jaime -"

"You suffered, too, and he isn't retiring you."

"Sweetheart, please -"

"Is he?"

Steve put a gentle finger to her lips. "He's not retiring you. But he needs to know - and so do I - what's gonna happen the next time someone grabs you or you have to face a loaded gun."

"If anything, I'll fight harder."

"After everything Bailey did to you, no one would fault you in any way if -"

"I'm fine. I thought you knew that. Dammit - I wanna work!"

"Maybe a little more time off..."

"I need to work!" Jaime looked directly at him, her eyes burning with fierce determination. Steve caught the look and the mind-set it represented, and he knew he had no other choice; he believed her.

------

Oscar was in his office even earlier than usual the next morning. When his office door opened without so much as a preliminary knock, he greeted his visitor with a calm smile and a mug of coffee.

"Good morning, Jaime," he said jovially.

"I know you were expecting Steve -"

"Scoop of cocoa," he said, handing her the mug, "just the way you like it."

"You knew I'd be coming?"

"No, but I was hoping you would." Oscar's smile spread across his entire face. "You just told me more than a dozen tests, or even your husband could have said. Welcome back, Babe."

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